Joseph Mellot Destinea Val de Loire Sauvignon Blanc, 2014

You would pay a good bit more than $10 for a Sancerre from Joseph Mellot. But unless you have drunk enough Sancerre to be able to note the fine points, you might prefer this less expensive Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc. It's what some writers have referred to as a "petite Sancerre." The grapes come from younger vineyards grown in a broader appellation. But the produce and the winemaking are clearly very good.

Medium deep yellow. I smell flowers as well as typical Sauvignon fruits--grapefruit and ripe gooseberry. Fresh and bright. The flavors are a bit riper and less aggressive than you might expect from Sancerre but that's likely to create even broader appeal. For $9.99, it gives me plenty of pleasure, and I will go back for more.

If you have never had a Sancerre or Pouilly Fume, I suggest that you buy and drink a few bottles of this before moving up to the more reputable appellations.